So, we have received a few comments recently that we are wasting our voices, time, and efforts by covering music in NUG Magazine. Apparently, some people do not like the music, arts, and other mainstream events that bring a â€œcultureâ€ crowd to the cannabis movement. These people believe that we should be a medical marijuana magazine that only focuses on activism and news and represents only those who agree with the way they think â€œthings should be doneâ€ for all of us.

Let me start by explaining that we are for FULL LEGALIZATION! While we are compassionate and supportive of the medical marijuana community, we are not and never claimed to be a medical marijuana magazine. There are many great ones out there already like the West Coast Leaf, who we distribute all over San Diego every month along with NUG.

It is very clearly labeled on our cover page of every single issue that we are a San Diego cannabis publication. And as locals who support cannabis use, most of us have other things besides cannabis in our life. We are well-rounded folk who appreciate music, art, healthy living, good food, supporting local businesses, and volunteering and donating to local non-profits. Some of our own NUG family members are not even patients, just self-proclaimed â€œstonersâ€, and even a few non-smokers, who feel like they have just as much right as you do to be represented in our pages!

We are based on a simple fundamental idea. We feel that the medical marijuana community and the â€œcultureâ€ crowd of cannabis users would both be better served if they came together to fight the archaic, nonsensical drug laws as a cohesive force. To hear someone say, oh my way is ok but your way is not and you are not helping, is disheartening to say the least. While this may be your belief please consider opening your mind to othersâ€™ beliefs as well.

NUG has fostered growth in our greater San Diego community, and we are proud to say not just for the medical marijuana folks. We would be remiss to only think of the patients, an estimated 46,500+, and not represent what is estimated to be more than 600,000+ others in our city (based on a modest average of 20% of the total population) who use and/or support cannabis too.

Do we agree with everything everyone else does in this cannabis movement? NO! Do we feel it is their right to contribute in any positive, productive way that they see fit? YES! This is the only way we can achieve our goals. If we keep allowing our differences to pull us apart, and attack one another for our differing morals, we will never win.

Some Reasons Why We Think Music is Important:

Events like concerts and art shows bring people together to network, find common ground, and feel like a part of the community.

Fun gets people involved! Fundamentally, we all just want to be happy and have fun!

Young people listen to â€œrock starsâ€ and tend to be influenced by their opinions. All of the bands we cover support cannabis and most speak on the topic openly.

Supporting the community at large, i.e. promoting businesses and non-profits, other civil rights groups, and local artisans, is a much bigger thing that we can do to be good neighbors.

Ask yourself thisâ€¦How can we ask others to support our movement if we are not involved in or at least accepting of theirs?

â€œComing together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.â€- Henry Ford â€¨â€¨